Sunday 21 May 2017 19:28, UK
Jack Butland was the ultimate reason Stoke were able to beat Southampton, says Mark Hughes.
Stoke absorbed sustained Southampton pressure in the first half, and Butland escaped punishment for a calamitous error on the stroke of half-time when Nathan Redmond caught him in possession but hit the crossbar with a lobbed shot.
Peter Crouch put an improved Stoke ahead 15 minutes after the break but it was Butland's heroics late in the game to deny Manolo Gabbiadini, Steven Davis, James Ward-Prowse and Sofiane Boufal that ensured Stoke finished 1-0 winners.
"Jack made a couple of saves, one-on-one, and we're grateful for that," Hughes told Sky Sports. "I don't think that was a true reflection of the match, we had good chances, good moments, but clearly we needed Jack to come to the fore and that's exactly what he's been able to do.
"That's what a top-line keeper gives you, match-defining moments. He's kept and defended our lead."
Stoke have had to do without Butland for almost the entire season after he suffered a stress fracture in his ankle while on England duty in March last year.
Lee Grant was brought in as a replacement on loan from Derby at the start of the season and, after Stoke made his transfer permanent in January, he went on to earn the club's Player of the Year accolades.
Although Butland has been restored to the starting line-up for Stoke's final four games of the season, Hughes insists the club need both 'keepers at the club.
"We've got two outstanding 'keepers and we're in the Premier League - the hardest league in the world - you've got to have quality right through the squad if players get injured," he added.
"Obviously Lee came to the club and stepped in when we were in a difficult situation and has been absolutely immense.
"It's no reflection on him that I made the decision to give game-time to Jack because everybody in the club knows how well Lee's done this year."
Stoke managed to climb up one place to finish 13th in the Premier League after the win, but Hughes vowed an improved result next season after underachieving.
"We're disappointed because we set targets and we've missed out but if you look at where we finished we're 13th, but we're actually two points away from eighth," said Hughes.
"That's how the league has been this year. It's fine margins and we'll be better next year."
